Castle Ottway

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Castle Ottway

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barbara,

Castle Otway, near Nenagh, is a fantastic ruin. I think it may be on private land. You can view it from the roadside or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can climb the gate and walk up to it. It is on the outskirts of Templederry.

Its original use was as a monastery. It then had an addition added on, a Georgian style manor house. There is still a good deal left of the outbuildings and the chapel. It is said to be haunted. It was once the home of the Castle Otway Harp which you can see in the National Museum. An old man whom I spoke with in Nenagh said that on some nights you can still hear the harp music coming from the chapel.

It burnt down in the early 1920s, I believe. There are of course three theories as to the cause of the fire:

        A Ghost set it in revenge for the wrongs done
        It was a kitchen fire
        It was set by the Sinn Fein

If you are doing the Lough Derg drive, it is a nice addition, in my opinion. There is also, nearby, Lissen Hall, another ruin with ties to Otway clan, which also was torched during the same period. The fact that Lissen Hall was set fire by the Sinn Fein lends more weight to that being the source of the Castle Otway fire. However, the haunting fire makes for a better story. biggrin

I would recommend either early in the day or closer to late evening or twilight, it gives the Castle a glimmer of sorts when photographed.

Slan Beo, Bit

oceanblue · Veteran Member

How intriguing Bit. This place really caught my attention for some reason. I would love to see it in the early morning mist and grab some photos.

I really wanted to take a photography class before this trip but didn't have time. I guess I will just have to point and shoot and hope they turn out.
Have you ever taken any photos of this place, would love to see them if you have any.

Well Thanks for the info I will try to work this stop in

Barbara P

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barbara,

I will have to check my media storage and see if they are on that drive. Otherwise, they were among the ones that were on the media drive in the computer when it was stolen in October. I may have some element shots from that castle though. I have a separate file just for windows in ruins. I had thought that it was only a passion of mine but, from the sales, there are others who find windows just as intriguing. biggrin

What type of camera are you using? I might be able to give you some pointers. I actually prefer cloud shrouded days, as you don't have the glare and the washout you do on bright sunny days.

Slan Beo, Bit

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Bit

I like the pictures you took in the rain also. I especially liked the picture of the cottage. It made me imagine what the people where like that lived there and how their lives must have been. It is the kind of photo that draws you in.

I am really an amatuer at photography. I have a Canon Rebel with a few lenses and filters but really not sure what I am doing. Ireland just has endless photo opportunities. On our first trip to Ireland we stayed at Ashford Castle 1 night and I must have taken hundreds of photos there but they really did not capture what I saw and felt. I have difficulty with low light pictures or night time shots.

How in the world do you climb those trails and carry your equipment and still come out in one piece. You had some pretty wet days in Donegal. Donegal looks very rugged, I really would love to see that area.

Hope your photo gets recognized by National Geographic

Barbara P

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barbara,

The Rebel is an excellent camera. You can get a lot of tips just by reading the manual. Also, I believe that Canon has some online help for shooting tips. Just google "canon rebel shooting tips". I use Olympus and Nikon myself. Low-light shots is all about shutter speed.

Other than a photography course that I took during my high school years, many, many moons ago, I am self taught. I learned on a Canon AE-1 film camera. It has been trial and error as I venture into the digital error.

Remember one rule of photography: For every good photograph you capture, you will have shot 99 that weren't so good.

As to carrying my equipment, I have a great backpack which will hold two cameras, my lenses, filters and rainshield in the bottom section. The upper section is like a daypack. I can carry snacks, notebooks, etc. I bought the pack precisely because of all the hiking I do to get the best shots, whether in Ireland, Somewhere in North America or here at home in Arizona.

It was in a crofter's cottage, much like the one I shot which you have enjoyed looking at, where the idea for my book was conceived. Now to find a publisher to help with its delivery.

Slan Beo, Bit

youngka · Guru

Barbara P. Bit recommended that we see Lough Derg this year, and it was BEAUTIFUL!! It was such a nice day, pretty fluffy clouds, and the water was sooo blue. Also, in Nenagh, we were to stay in a beautiful! house and it was so reasonable -- just another idea. (Riverglebe House)http://homepage.eircom.net/~riverglebehouse/ I will have to ask how to post photos of Lough Derg, tried and it didn't work......be sure and check the site for Riverglebe House, the photos show the grounds.....youngka

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barbara,

Hope you get to Castle Ottway. Bit has really filled you in about it. I too love to take photos. I am attracted to doors, archways, windows, gates and flowers. My husbands photos are completely different. Bit gave me some advice about Zazzle and I am creating some things for sale later this year. Among them 2010 calendars of flowers I shot in Ireland.

Michele

yesiree · Guru

Our cottage is just down the road from Castle Ottway! I stop by there often. Warning... the place is falling down, on private property and there are often animals in the field, so cross the fence at your own risk.

Our neighbor Katie Maden used to tell us about when the castle burned down. She was just a little girl and she remembers seeing the glow from the fire lighting up the sky over the mountain... it burned for three days.

If you want to hear stories about the Otways, you could stop in the car dealership Donal Ryan's... there used to be a guy there who would chat endlessly if anyone was listening. I should note that he'll also probably try to sell you a car.

If you go on the grounds, be sure to check out the chapel in back and take a peek at the stables... it's all overgrown, but interesting.

As for the mystery to its burning, let's just say, many of the locals ended up with furniture and items from the castle... items which somehow "survived" the fire that gutted the entire house. The Ottway family had fled Ireland long before the fire. Most of them ended up in Australia.

Here are a few pics. I'll have to look and see if I have a pic of the Georgian front. It was an obvious new addition to the much older tower house.

Just added the pic from the front of Otway... it's the best one I have digitally at the moment. That Liam (www.irishfireside.com) standing in the front door.

-- Edited by yesiree on Friday 12th of June 2009 08:52:04 AM

youngka · Guru

Barbara P. Now you have me putting down another place to see....this sure looks neat in all the trees Thanks Yesiree nice pictures. youngka

oceanblue · Veteran Member

If only the walls could talk ......

Thanks Corey for the great pictures. I am telling you there is something about this castle that speaks to me. I believe I first saw it when I was looking at your beautiful cottage.
OK what kind of animals are we talking about here in the field around the castle. I can just see me being charged by a Ram.
Reading about the midges had me scratching all night.

Younka thanks for the website for the guest house. It looks great. I would love to do the Lough Derg drive. Have it on my list but we will see how it goes

Michelle you will have to let us know when your calendars go on sale. What a great idea.

Bit the other problem I have with photos are depth perception. For example shooting a picture down a cliff, I am never able to really capture the distance properly. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much for all the info and suggestions
Barbara

Michele Erdvig · Host

Barbara,

I will indeed let everyone know when the calendars and other stuff is on sale. So far I have designed mugs, calendars, tote bags, notecards and US postage that matches the notecards. Take a look at www.zazzle.com I can put my photos on anything there. If you have requests, let me know.

Michele

CowboyCraic · Guru

Michele,

Be careful, Zazzling is a powerful addiction! biggrin

As far as calendars, I am designing the 2010 calendars in my Gallery as we speak. I usually do a release date of July 1. I used to release them at the beginning of November but found the earlier they were out the better they sold. I am not sure that will happen with my move and such. I have managed to get some of my Ireland photos up on products. Karen likes my red door pictures!

Barbara, as to what animals are in the field, you are probably looking at either sheep or cows. Neither will pay you much mind.

As to capturing the depth , I always use a bit of the land on top in teh foreground as a way of showing the drop to the sea. If you look at my Slieve League pictures, You might get an dea of what I am talking about .

Corey, I knew that you would have some pictures handy! I think you mentioned Otway in one of your Irishfireside Podcasts back some time ago.

As to the Manor house, I believe it was added in the mid to late 1800's.

Slan Beo, Bit

Michele Erdvig · Host

Bit,

I know! You can get involved for days on Zazzle. I found the calendar template buggy and hard to work with. It kept deleting my work till I saved after each page. Then I had to logout and login after each page addition. Don't know what I was doing wrong but it took a long time.

So far I have Ireland in Bloom and Irish Tulip Festival calendars. And I have mousepads. I plan on doing posters and prints among other things. Just need to find the time. I think I will add a new page to my website for the items.

Corey,

Great photos!

Michele

oceanblue · Veteran Member

OK can you explain Zazzle a little bit more. Sounds interesting.
I think that would be a good idea Michelle to put a link on your forum.

Irish Tulip festivals, I didn't know they had them. Tulips are my very favorite flower.
My Mom use to grow the most beautiful Tulips in Kentucky and every time I see one
It brings back a flood of wonderful memories.

Bit thanks for the photo tip I will practice in Ireland next weekend. First stop will be in Wicklow so should be able to get some good photos there.

Have a great weekend, I will be busy packing

Barbara

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barbara,

Zazzle is a POD (Print on Demand) site on which they offer a myriad of items for you to add your artwork or photography too. You place them in the marketplace and set your commission. Zazzle does all of the production and recordkeeping. It certainly isn't a get rich quick deal. I have had my Gallery there for two years now and am just starting to see regular monthly stipends. You can check out my Gallery, my link is at the bottom of all my posts here on the Forum. The thing tha makes Zazzle stand out above the others, far above, is that they offer all of this for free. THey don't limit your quantity of products. They don't limit your images. It is up to you to verify all copyrights. I use my own works so there isn't a worry there. If I have one complaint about Zazzle, it is the new "bulk creator" tool which they implemented last year. It has created a flood of cookie cutter products. I create each product individually, as I like to tweak them until I think they are as near perfect as I can get them.

Because of Zazzle, my photography, instead of languishing on my computer, has been purchased by buyers worldwide. It is mind boggling at times.

Packing is never my most favorite thing. I will be packing this weekend, as well. The difference being that I will be packing household goods in preparation for my move.

Slan Beo, Bit

yesiree · Guru

The animals to watch out for are cows and possibly a bull...spot him and you best stay out. You can view the castle from the road too. They usually don't keep animals in the back of the castle by the chapel & stables, so you can still poke around safely by going that way.

The gates of the church in Templederry used to be the gates to Castle Ottway.

The Ottways were known as especially cruel landlords. In fact, Templederry was one of the towns were two men talking in the street were talking farming, but three men were considered conspirators and would be arrested.

You can learn more about the Ottway harp by visiting Farney Castle near Holycross. The castle is owned by internationally-known knitter Cyril Cullen who now has a porcelain shop on the grounds. His wife Margie will take you on a tour of Farney Castle for a few euros. In the music room, you can see their collection of Celtic harps and several old documents they have recovered... their daughters are the Cullen Harpists. The family has spent a lot of time researching harps.

There's lots of interesting things in the area. Liam kind of specializes in that kind of local history.

youngka · Guru

All --- this site has given so much interesting ideas, anyone getting dizzy yet? Thanks for all the info? youngka

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Wow Corey that is so interesting. I will definitely be doing some more research.
I really hope to get by the castle. I will drfinitely heed your warning about the bulls

Thanks again
Barbara

oceanblue · Veteran Member

Thanks for explaining Zazzle. That is an amazing opportunity and a great use of your photography.

So where are you moving to Bit, sounds like you have a busy weekend.

Hope all goes well

Barbara

CowboyCraic · Guru

Barbara,

The where is stil undecided, though I hope to nail something down by th middle of next week. The when is definitely before the last week in June, as I have to turn in my keys by June 30. I am the worst procrastinator when it comes to moving. So I pack in small bites so that it seems less stressful.

Corey, you have such a nice way of describing the Otways, tyrants that they were. It is said that the local folk, well into the 1900s would spit after saying the name Otway, just to remove the bad taste.

Michele, I went in and made a 2010 calendar to see if I could duplicate your problems. I didn't have any at all. If it persists, email me and we will work it out.

Karen, Dizzy? Nah this is tame compared to the high velocity carousel of life I am usually riding.... biggrin

Slan Beo, Bit

youngka · Guru

Bit, it is just that there is so much that can be commented on this particular posting. Everyone has given so many ideas to follow up on. I've enjoying reading what each has to say Have a good move......youngka

hiscockfarm · Newbie

We are going to Ireland next month, and want to see Castle Otway. We have some sort of family connection there. Does one need permission to 'climb over the fence' and explore? If so, where would I find it?
Thanks.
His****farm

Michele Erdvig · Host

HCF,

If there is a farmhouse around you could knock on the door and seek permission. As long as there is not a "No Trespassing" sign you can probably take a look. You could always ask the locals in a nearby town what their advice is.

Michele

hiscockfarm · Newbie

Thanks! We will give it a try. His****farm

Michele Erdvig · Host

HCF,

Let us know how you get on with your explorations.

Michele